Contract roles can feel like the perfect job setup: flexible hours, work-from-home perks, and a way to break into your dream company. For some, they also serve as a temporary solution until a more permanent position comes along.
Yet sometimes when freelancers decide to transition to a full-time gig, their contract history can potentially come back to bite them—even when it shouldn’t.
In a job interview, employers might ask: Can you work effectively on a team? Can you take direction from a manager? Will you think about your work long term?
Or they might not ask at all, but they’ll still wonder.
To be clear: Freelancing or contract work is work, of course. But if full-time employment is your goal, knowing how to address these concerns does matter in a job interview.
Don’t assume
First, in a job interview—no matter which side of the table you’re sitting on—it’s essential not to make assumptions.
“It’s important for hiring managers to be aware of assumptions they might have. Instead of assuming, ask very direct questions,” says Phoebe Gavin, a career and leadership coach. Don’t just assume they can’t work a 9-to-5, or that they’re not willing to commit to a company long term.
